Mangione’s defense team wants prosecutors barred from seeking the death penalty in the federal case.
Attorney General Pam Bondi should have recused herself from Luigi Mangione’s federal murder trial over a “profound” conflict of interest, his attorneys have argued.
Bondi used to be a partner at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm that represents UnitedHealthcare, and continues to profit from her links to the firm, Mangione’s lawyers argued in a filing late Friday.
Mangione, 27, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, on the streets of midtown Manhattan last December. He was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.
There is already so much wrong with the case. It doesn’t matter who prosecutes it. Also a switch is better because a new prosecutor will need time to get up to speed and may make mistakes to hit deadlines.